RCP Podcast: Crunch Time for “SAVE Act,” Another Attack on Iran? Dems Can’t Ignore the DSA
Friday on the RealClearPolitics podcast, Carl Cannon, Tom Bevan, and Andrew Walworth discuss President Trump’s effort to convince Senate Republicans to pass the “SAVE America Act” mandating voter ID for all elections, the Senate race in Maine, and reports that the president is considering an even larger attack on Iran. Karl Rove breaks down the political impact of the rise of Democratic Socialism and how Republicans should message going into the midterms. Plus, a preview of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner — rescheduled for tonight — and shares their picks for the weekly “You Can Not Be Serious?!” roundup of goofy headlines. Listen live weekdays at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly Channel 111, or on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or other platforms.
00:00 – Opening: Trump “Out of Patience” on SAVE Act Walworth, Cannon, and Bevan discuss President Trump’s recent complaints about Senate GOP Leader John Thune and trying to get him to pass the “SAVE America Act” before the August recess. “The Senate is where bad ideas are supposed to die. It’s where the heat-of-the-moment ideas are supposed to die,” Carl Cannon said. “I like gridlock. I’m a big gridlock fan.” Bevan kicked off the debate: “Surely you don’t think showing ID when you vote is a terrible idea that deserves to die in the Senate?” *** 07:07 – Strike “Bigger Than Epic Fury” Coming for Iran? The panel turns to reports that the president is considering a “massive” new attack on Iran, bigger than Operation Epic Fury. “It sounds like things are going to escalate, and escalate pretty seriously,” Tom Bevan said. “The war has already widened just over the last 72 hours.” *** 12:06 – Is the Senate Up for Grabs? The gang discusses the Maine Senate race, where Democrats are likely to name Troy Jackson as their Senate candidate this weekend, replacing Graham Platner. Does he have a chance against incumbent GOP Senator Susan Collins? Cannon wonders: “With the president below 40%, does his endorsement help or hurt in a blue state like Maine?” *** 14:50 – Democrats Can’t Ignore the DSA Wall Street Journal columnist and Fox News contributor Karl Rove joins the show to comment on how both parties should react to the new Democratic Socialist 2026 platform, entitled: Workers Deserve More. He says the DNC can’t just ignore them and needs to publicly reject the Democratic Socialists of America, or the Republicans will make them the face of the entire party. Republicans ought to beat up on the Democrats for this. I mean, it’s a gift,” he said. Rove rejects comparisons to the Tea Party, saying the Tea Party sought a return to established Republican principles while the DSA wants to replace mainstream Democratic principles. He warned: “What these people are calling for is destroying the power of the individual and imposing the power of the state on top of them.” *** 30:47 – Can GOP Hold the House? Karl Rove examined whether Republicans can keep their House majority in November and handicapped the Texas Senate race. “The likelihood of holding the House with the president’s approval rating at 40% is slim to none,” Rove said. “And the numbers are bad and getting worse.” *** 36:21 – WHC Dinner is Back On The episode ends with a preview of tonight’s rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and the weekly You Cannot Be Serious roundup of funny headlines.
Listen to RealClearPolitics weekdays at 11 a.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly Channel 111, or on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or other platforms. Subscribe for more RealClearPolitics analysis, interviews, and political commentary.
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